The Life of a Queenpreneur is an interview series that showcases young women who balance the role of a queen and the role of an entrepreneur. A queenpreneur is unique because she possesses a graceful style mixed with a hustler’s ambition. This interview will feature Sydni Dion, Owner of Diverse Style.
Tell us about yourself.
I am 18 years old. I live near Chicago, IL. I am a classically trained ballerina, decorated competitive dancer and was co-director of a national winning dance company by the age of 17. While attending a prestigious performing arts high school, I was critically injured and had to change paths. This inspired me to create my Non Profit Organization, Dreamkatchers, which gives scholarships to kids in the arts. I am devoted to mentoring kids of all ages and backgrounds who deal with diverse situations. When I am not doing school work, modeling and traveling, I work on designs for Diverse Style.
What is Diverse Style, and what inspired you to create this brand?
Diverse Style is my line which specializes in nudes for brown skin tones. As Miss Illinois Teen USA 2018 and the first black girl to ever represent the state of Illinois (3rd Runner up at Miss Teen USA), I struggled with finding nude colored shoes. This inspired me to start with shoes for girls of color so we would no longer need to spray paint or dye them. I have several other shoe designs, colors and other products that I will be releasing in the future.
What made you want to become an entrepreneur?
I honestly was never interested in becoming a business owner. I just wanted to create something to make all women feel equally valued. In a time we live in where we can be anything we want to be, we should equally have the same options. And my objective was to make that happen.
How has Diverse Style changed your life?
I have a strong work ethic and put 110% in everything I do. I never involve myself in something I don’t believe in and that makes me committed to my work. But the one thing I can think of that’s changed is that I celebrate small accomplishments instead of being so hard on myself and thinking that I am not doing enough.
Did competing in pageants prepare you for running a business. Is so, how?
I honestly think the disciplined life I lived training as a dancer for 12 years is what prepared me for pageantry and as a business owner. I didn’t live the life of a normal kid. I chose not to do sleepovers and missed a lot of family events to either train or travel to compete. I learned time management, responsibility and that reward comes from hard work at a very young age.
What are some of your other business ventures?
I have a non profit organization known as Dreamkatchers, Inc. that gives scholarships to children in the arts. We gave out our first scholarship this summer.
What are some of your entrepreneurial goals?
My goal with Diverse Style is to help ALL women feel confident. I want my line to represent EVERY female in some way.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years I see myself having graduated college with a degree in Accounting and using my degree to handle the finances of Diverse Style and teaching others how to manage their money as well. During the course of 10 years, I plan to grace the stage of Miss USA and possibly even Miss Universe. I’m trusting God to order my steps and I’ll see what He has planned for me.
What is one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs?
My best advice is to never forget why you created your business and that will push you to figure out how to keep moving forward.
Please provide your contact information so that others can reach out to you.
Email – diversestyleds@gmail.com
Instagram – @diversestylebysydnidion
Website – https://diversestylebysydnidion.com/
Do you want to purchase a pair of Diverse Style shoes? Diverse Style has been gracious to allow Krystle Clear Pageantry readers to receive $25.00 off their order.
You can use the coupon code KCPAGEANT or use the link
https://diversestylebysydnidion.com/discount/KCPAGEANT
Leave a Reply